Engine fuel tank rack



1960 c. E. RUTHERFORD 2,965,239

ENGINE FUEL TANK RACK Filed July 9, 1959 Char/es E. Rutherford INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 9 ENGINE FUEL TANK RACK Charles E. Rutherford, P.0. Box 266, What Cheer, Iowa Filed July 9, 1959, Ser. No. 826,023

1 Claim. (Cl. 211-71) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in engine fuel tank racks or stands for use particularly, although not necessarily, at motor vehicle service stations and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for supporting, in positions whereby both are readily accessible, a pair of storage tanks or barrels for filling by gravity the fuel tanks of tractors and automobiles, especially the former.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a rack or stand of the aforementioned character comprising a firm, rigid, all-welded angle bar construction for safely holding the fuel tanks or barrels.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a fuel tank or barrel rack of the character described which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a rack constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a pair of fuel tanks mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the device; and

Figure 3 is a top view.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comp-rises a duplicate pair of spaced, opposed, rectangular and upwardly convergent side frames of suitable metal which are designated generally by reference character 4. The frames 4 are rigidly connected in spaced relation through the medium of upper and lower transverse bars 5 and 6, respectively, which are spaced from the upper and lower ends of said frames. Inclined braces 7 extend between the lower bars 6 and the lower portions of the frames 4.

The frames 4 include corner posts or legs 8 between which upper, lower and intermediate longitudinal bars 9, 10 and 11, respectively, extend. Extending transversely between intermediate portions of the longitudinal bars 11 is a pair of spaced, parallel side frame braces and tank ice supporting bars 12 of inverted angle iron. Inclined braces 13 extend between the longitudinal bars 11 and the lower portions of the posts or legs 8 of the frames 4. The braces 13 are fixed to the bars 11 at points directly beneath the end portions of the tank supporting bars 12.

It is thought that the use of the rack will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, a tank 14 of suitable capacity, particularly for servicing tractors, is mounted longitudinally on the device. The tank 14 rests on the transverse bars 5 where it is retained lateral rolling by the upper bars 9 of the frames 4. Connected to one end of the tank 14 is a dispensing hose 15 which is controlled by a valve 16, said hose having mounted on its discharge end a nozzle 17. The nozzle 17 is adapted to be hung on a book 18 which is provided therefor on an adjacent corner post or leg 8 of one of the frames 4. Seated between the transverse bars 12 beneath the tank 14 and at right angles thereto, is a relatively small tank 19 which may be used for fueling motor vehicles. It will be noted that the construction and arrangement is such that, if desired, either of the tanks may be mounted on the rack and removed therefrom without disturbing the other of said tanks.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A storage tank rack comprising a pair of spaced, opposed, upwardly convergent, generally rectangular side frames, said side frames including legs and upper, lower and intermediate longitudinal bars extending between said legs, said side frames further including upwardly convergent braces extending between the lower portions of the legs and said intermediate longitudinal bars and secured beneath the latter at spaced points, upper and lower transverse bars extending between the side frames and affixed to the legs thereof, said upper transverse bars providing, in conjunction with the upper longitudinal bars, a seat for receiving and retaining a storage tank, and a pair of spaced, parallel transverse side frame braces extending between the intermediate longitudinal bars and afiixed at spaced points thereon over the upper ends of the first named braces and combining therewith and with said intermediate longitudinal bars in defining a rest adapted to receive and retain a second storage tank beneath and at right angles to the first-mentioned tank.

Thomas Sept. 21, 1880 McCormick Nov. 30, 1948 

